Time Warner pulls channels from iPad app after network complaints

We’ve just been tipped that Time Warner Cable has begun emailing users of its iPad application, informing them of a looming channel-lineup change. The app in question — TWCable TV App for iPad — was released on March 15th, and allows TWC subscribers to stream live television right to their tablet device. A very neat feature… for customers. It seems as though several major networks are not all that fond of this customer-centric feature. “While most TV network owners agree with us that this is a great convenience for our customers and their viewers, a few networks disagree,” reads the email. “Unfortunately, that means that channels from network groups Discovery Communications, Fox Cable, and Viacom will be removed from your iPad lineup, effective immediately.” Time Warner notes that Animal Planet, Discovery, TLC, FX, National Geographic, BET, CMT, Comedy Central, MTV, Nickelodeon, Spike, and VH1 will no longer be available. In response, TWC has added 17 national and 3 local “replacement channels.”

I wish that was the case but I got an email from TWC saying the same thing and it wasn’t received today. Absolutely WEAK on TWC’s part.

Anonymous

The April fools joke is to anyone who actually gives these jerks money in the first place.

p.mcgee

i WaS hOpiNG tHaT i COuLd GeT thiS APp oN mY Lg eNv FoNe bUt aFTeR tHey PuLLeD oUt ThE nicKeLoDEoN ChANnELs i DOnT kNoW whAt To THinK ^:-0 w00t w00t

Anonymous

That’s hard to type; hAts off to you!!!

sirpaul

That really hurt my eyes. I had to strain really hard to read it. The nickeldodeon bit made it worth it, though!

Anonymous

Helloooo … that was on New York 1 this morning!! Along with the news that Cablevision’s app’ for mAxiPad has also been delayed. A little late bGr.

Anonymous

How stupid are those networks? Did they forget that everyone would still be watching their shows AND commercials?

Dspinerep

I got this app and that this was great another option to go with my slingbox NOT! tried to use when i was away from home and got the error message it only work threw my home router. Dont really get the usefulness except for maybe sitting on the kamode.

sirpaul

For those that don’t know what a commode is (I didn’t either, though I had a good guess):
commode: a plumbing fixture for defecation and urination

In other words, this app is good for using while you are on the shit-can.

http://www.facebook.com/people/Rae-Clark/100002137142512 Rae Clark

Time Warner Cable finds itself amongst drama on something that should be quite simple. I work at DISH Network and as an employee I find that the manner in which DISH conducts its business is exemplary. The products release work, in the way a customer is informed it will. The DISH Network TV EVERYWHERE application provides your full subscription access on multiple mobile devices beyond just the APPLE products. YOUR subscription can be viewed LIVE STREAM anywhere and you can access your DVR records. This is innovative progress where most companies are limited in which channels they provide. DISH Network continues to be ahead of the curve.

Senor Chang

A. Surprising that Apple doesn’t have a problem with these apps, from their perspective, this would compete w/ iTunes and tv-show rentals/purchases

B. Networks don’t care. they want you to pay per outlet. Cable in your home is only one outlet. You want that on your iPad? THEY want the money for it, either by selling individual episodes/season passes via another vendor (iTunes, Amazon, Zune) or by making TWC charge an additional fee for the service, passing that fee on to the customers

C. Still shows how clueless some in the industry are. TWC/Brighthouse could offer all the online streaming they want, its still a rip off to be paying $60+ plus for a 100+ channels of complete garbage and barely 10% of which you actually watch. Where else are you willing to pay full price for something you only use 10% of? Do you order a whole combo meal if all you wanted was french fries? People are moving to online television to GET AWAY from the cable companies…. tacking on some streaming service isn’t going to attract them back.

As a non-cable customer, I’m pulling for the networks here. the networks need to step forward and take some real control and offer subscription packages online themselves. I’d rather pay a small subscription fee for a group of channels I WANT to watch rather than one large fee for a bunch of junk.

sirpaul

Antenna-in-attic for the win! I am happy with the 3 channels I pick up OTA. All the big shows are available, and anything else I can get online. Not to mention almost all shows are offered free online by TV networks the next day. Who needs cable??

Anonymous

You are a ‘clueless’ dingbat. App’ Store didn’t pull the app’, Time Warner Cable had to pull some channels because they lease/pay (for) the use of channels for rebroadcast through their cable service. Various channels have objected to the rebroadcast of their programming via portable devices since, said broadcast is not within the scope of the “Terms of Use” or, in this case, one might say that TWC is the End-User and in direct violation of their terms of agreement.